Recognise and Respond Training

Talking to someone about suicide may feel like one of the hardest conversations you'll ever have. Yet it could also be one of the most important.

Recognise and Respond – Suicide Prevention in Everyday Life is a free, evidence-informed online training program developed by the Black Dog Institute. In just one hour, the self-paced course provides practical skills and confidence to recognise when someone may be at risk of suicide and respond with compassion, care, and confidence. It is designed for everyday people, because you don't need to be a mental health professional to make a difference.

Throughout the course, you'll learn about the prevalence of suicide in Australia, common risk factors and warning signs, how to start a conversation about suicide, and where to connect someone with appropriate support. The training combines expert guidance with real-life case studies and has been developed in partnership with people with lived experience, clinicians, and researchers to ensure it is practical, engaging, and grounded in evidence. Studies have shown that participants finish the course with greater confidence, improved skills, and more positive attitudes towards suicide prevention.

At the Mount Barker Living Well SPN, we believe that suicide prevention is everyone's responsibility. By building the confidence of everyday community members, we can create a more connected and compassionate community where people feel safe to ask, listen, and support one another.

Free training available

Thanks to our partnership with the Black Dog Institute, we have a limited number of free training places available for community members, volunteers, workplaces, sporting clubs, and community organisations.

If you would like to access this valuable training, or would like more information, please use the information above. Together, we can build a community where more people recognise the signs, respond with confidence, and help ensure that nobody has to face suicidal thoughts alone.